Friday, August 31, 2012

Tennessee vs. N.C. STATE (in Atlanta), 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU: The Wolfpack will be without starting cornerback C.J. Wilson, but Tennessee will be missing all-SEC receiver Da’Rick Rogers, who transferred to Tennessee Tech. These teams haven't played each other in 73 years.

Yes, Rogers real name is “Da’Rick.”

SATURDAY

Elon at NORTH CAROLINA, 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network: This game would have been more fun for the locals if Scott Riddle was still the QB at Elon. First-year coach Larry Fedora will unveil his up-tempo spread offense...

Richmond at VIRGINIA, 3 p.m. ET, RSN: Quarterback Michael Rocco held onto the starting job despite competition from Alabama transfer Phillip Sims this summer. There is plenty of familiarity between these programs, as UVa coach Mike London is a Richmond grad and former head coach. He had a 24-5 record in two seasons with the Spiders (2008 and 2009), including the FCS National Title in 2008. Richmond coach Danny Rocco, in his first season with the Spiders, is the uncle of the Hoos’ quarterback.

MIAMI at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2: Both programs desperately need to start the season with a win. Boston College has won the last two meetings, including a 24-17 win at Miami in last season’s regular-season finale. BC has new Offensive Coordinator, but Miami win anyway...

Murray State at No. 7 FLORIDA STATE, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3: Murray State? Really? The Racers? We didn’t even know this Big Dance participant had a football team.

Liberty at WAKE FOREST, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3: The Deacs get four of their first five games at home. They’ve got 13 starters back from last year’s team, which came within a field goal of winning the Atlantic Division.

FIU at DUKE 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3: Not as easy as it looks...FIU was the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference this year, and it received points in the USA Today Coaches preseason poll for the first time in school history.

Auburn vs. No. 14 CLEMSON (in Atlanta), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN: The defending ACC champs could help further distance themselves from that disappointing showing in the Orange Bowl with a win over an SEC team. Star receiver Sammy Watkins sits this one out...

MONDAY

GEORGIA TECH at No. 16 VIRGINIA TECH, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN: The winner of this game has gone on to win the Coastal Division in each of the past seven seasons...

WHERE IN THE WORLD...?

The way it is...

The way it was...

TAH DAMN GOOD CAUSE OF THE MONTH

NORTHERN HAITI HOPE FOUNDATION: After our recent trip to Haiti, we vowed to do more to help. Clean water is a critical issue for all Haitians. It's particularly problematic for those in rural areas. For $2,000 to $5,000 we can build a new well in a rural village as part of a program facilitated by the St. Barthelemy School and the Warrenton, VA Rotary. Send your donation to Wells of Health and Hope, c/o GPetty-VTA, 38 Garrett Street, Warrenton, VA 20186 and keep your eye on T.A.H. for progress reports. Thanks! CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE INFO.